Gutter caddy

ABSTRACT

A universal utility device to be suspended from a structure, such as a roofing gutter or ladder, includes a generally rigid frame having a central opening for removably receiving an insert. The insert may be a plastic bag or a rigid formed insert designed to allow the device to perform a multitude of tasks. For example, the rigid formed insert may include a tray, a reel, or a combination thereof. The frame may include a structure engagement section designed to position the top surface of the frame at least as high as the top of the gutter when the device is suspended from the gutter. In another embodiment, the frame includes at least one wheel for facilitating the movement of the device along the gutter. The frame may also include a handle as well as a ladder engagement portion to suspend the device from a ladder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to tool and refuse carrying devicesand more particularly, to such devices that are particularly useful forworking on elevated structures, such as a roof and a ladder.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Homeowners and general contractors commonly clean out raingutters. The usual method of cleaning a rain gutter is for the laborerto manually remove the debris and throw it on the ground. After thegutter has been cleaned, the laborer must rake up and bag the debris.This method is time consuming and labor intensive. Other disadvantagesof this method are that the gutter debris often falls into swimmingpools, flowerbeds, gardens, and onto cars. There is also the possibilityof injury to persons in the work area, such as children playing.

[0003] Known apparatuses for cleaning gutters suffer from severaldisadvantages. First, many of the known gutter apparatuses are suspendedbelow the top surface of the roofing gutter. This inevitably leads todebris falling to the ground as a result of the debris becoming trappedbetween the apparatus and the gutter.

[0004] Another disadvantage of the known gutter apparatuses is that theyare difficult to fill. When suspended below the top surface of theroofing gutter, the openings of many of the known gutter apparatus arepartially obscured by the roofing gutter. Thus, the size of the openingis effectively reduced, often to half the original size, increasing thelikelihood that the laborer might spill some of the debris.

[0005] Yet another disadvantage associated with the known gutterapparatuses is that they are not able to perform a variety of tasks. Theknown gutter apparatus are designed for a specific task, such ascleaning debris from roofing gutters only. These gutter apparatuses arenot particularly useful, however, for panting the side of a building,for removing Christmas lights, holding tools and supplies, or many otheruses.

[0006] A further disadvantage with the known gutter apparatuses is thatthey often become caught or jammed. Roofing gutters are often suspendedfrom rooftops with screws or nails that are driven through the outsideof the roofing gutter and into the roof. Many of the known gutterapparatuses utilize hooks that come into contact with these screws ornails and consequently become caught or jammed when trying to slide thegutter apparatus along the gutter. This requires the laborer to lift theapparatus over the nail or screw, thus reducing the convenience of thegutter apparatus and increasing the possibility of an accident.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention features a universal utility device to besuspended from a structure such as a roofing gutter or ladder whereinthe universal utility device includes a generally rigid frame having atleast one engagement section disposed on an inner surface of thegenerally rigid frame. In one embodiment, the top surface of thegenerally rigid frame is positioned at least as high as the open top ofthe roofing gutter when the universal utility device is suspended fromthe roofing gutter. In another embodiment, the generally rigid frame isadapted to support a removable rigid formed insert and/or to besuspended from a ladder or other similar structure.

[0008] The roofing gutter engagement section is preferably designed toallow the universal utility device to slide freely on along the roofinggutter and includes a relatively short engagement portion. The roofinggutter engagement section may include a lip or a plurality of hooks.According to another embodiment, the generally rigid frame furtherincludes at least one wheel disposed horizontally on the inner surfaceof the generally rigid frame for sliding against the gutter.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the removable rigid formed insertincludes an edge that engages the top surface of the generally rigidframe and supports the removable rigid formed insert. The removablerigid formed insert may include a tray, a reel, or a supportingstructure for suspending a container, or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reading the following detailed description,taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1A is an end perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0012]FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0013]FIG. 1C is an elevated front perspective view of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent invention attached to a roofing gutter;

[0015]FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent invention attached to a roofing gutter;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention attached to a ladder;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention having a flexible insert according to one embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side plain view of the present invention having aremovable rigid formed insert;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a side plain view of the present invention having aremovable rigid formed insert according to one embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a removable rigid formed insert according to anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

[0021]FIG. 8 is a removable rigid formed insert according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A universal utility device or gutter caddy 10, FIG. 1, is to beused with an insert 12 designed to allow the universal utility device 10to perform a multitude of tasks (discussed further below). The universalutility device 10 comprises a generally rigid frame 18 having a top 20,a bottom 22, an inner 21 and an outer surface 23, and a centralreceiving region 25 having dimensions sized for receiving the insert 12.

[0023] The generally rigid frame 18 is preferably fabricated fromplastic though it may be formed or fabricated from many materials suchas, but not limited to, metal and the like. In a preferred embodiment,the generally rigid frame 18 is oval'ish in shape, though many differentshapes (rectangles, squares, etc.) are envisioned depending upon thedesired function(s) to be preformed and is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art.

[0024] In one embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 includes at leastone structure engagement section 24 disposed on the inner surface 21 ofthe generally rigid frame 18. The structure engagement section 24 isdesigned to removably suspend the universal utility device 10 from aroofing gutter 36, FIG. 2.

[0025] In many applications, the roofing gutter 36 is attached to a roof32 using a screw, bolt, or nail 34 that penetrates the outside surface30 of the roofing gutter 36, through the generally U-shaped crosssection 14, and into the roof 32. Previous utility devices often becomecaught on this screw 34 thus preventing them from sliding along theroofing gutter 36. As a result, the users must often lift the utilitydevices over the screw 34 thereby defeating much of the convenience ofthe utility devices and creating a potential safety hazard to both theusers and bystanders.

[0026] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a structureengagement section 24 having a relatively short structure engagementportion 31, FIG. 2B, that is designed to securely suspend the universalutility device 10 from the roofing gutter 36, while still allowing theuniversal utility device 10 to freely slide up and down the length ofthe roofing gutter 36 and pass over the screw 34. The exact dimensionsof the relatively short structure engagement portion 31 will depend uponthe roofing gutter 36, and is within the knowledge of one skilled in theart. The relatively short structure engagement portion 31 increases thesafety and convenience of the universal utility device 10 by virtuallyeliminating the need to lift the universal utility device 10 off theroofing gutter 36 and reducing the likelihood of the universal utilitydevice 10 from falling and injuring a bystander on the ground. In apreferred embodiment, the structure engagement section 24 includes alip. The lip may be continuous along the length of the inner surface 21of the generally rigid frame 18 or may be disposed along a portionthereof. Alternatively, the structure engagement section 24 includes aplurality of hooks.

[0027] In another embodiment, the structure engagement section 24 isadapted so that the top surface 20 of the generally rigid frame 18 ispositioned at least as high as an open top 16 of a roofing gutter 36when the universal utility device 10 is suspended from the roofinggutter 36. The present embodiment significantly reduces the likelihoodof a user accidentally dropping an object, such as roofing gutter debris43, FIG. 2B, when trying to place the debris 43 into the universalutility device 10 and having the debris 43 consequently falling to theground creating a mess or injuring bystanders.

[0028] In another embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18, FIG. 2,includes at least one wheel 28 on the inner surface 21 of the generallyrigid frame 18. The wheel 28 is preferably mounted horizontally on theinner surface 21 of the generally rigid frame 18. When the universalutility device 10 is mounted on the roofing gutter 36, the wheel 28facilitates the movement of the universal utility device 10 along thelength of the roofing gutter 36 allowing the user to easily re-positionthe universal utility device 10. The wheel 28 also keeps the top surface20 of the universal utility device 10 approximately horizontal. In apreferred embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18 includes two wheels28 positioned at opposite ends of the inner surface 21.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the generally rigid frame 18,FIG. 3, may include a handle 23. The handle 23 aids the user intransporting the universal utility device 10, such as carrying theuniversal utility device 10 up and down a ladder 37 or other structure.Optionally, the handle 23 may further include at least one hook 25designed to allow the universal utility device 10 to be suspended. In apreferred embodiment, the handle 23 includes two hooks 25 at oppositeends of the handle 23 adapted to suspend the universal utility device 10from, for example, the rung 39 of a ladder 37.

[0030] As previously mentioned, the insert 12 is designed to allow theuser to customize the universal utility device 10 to perform a multitudeof tasks by inserting various inserts 12. In a broad sense, the insert12 may include virtually any design, and the following embodiments arefor illustrative purposes and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

[0031] For example, the user may wish to use the universal utilitydevice 10, FIG. 4, to hold debris 43 when, for example, he/she iscleaning a roofing gutter 36. In one embodiment, the generally rigidframe 18 includes a plurality of fasteners 26 such as, but not limitedto, clips, hooks, or the like, for suspending a flexible insert 41, suchas a plastic bag. This embodiment allows the user to clean the roofinggutter 36 without creating a mess or having to repeatedly go up and downthe ladder.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the universal utility device 10,FIGS. 5-8, includes a removable rigid formed insert 47 that is supportedby the generally rigid frame 18. The removable rigid formed insert 47may also include a handle 56 to allow the user to easily and quicklyremove/install the removable rigid formed insert 47 from the generallyrigid frame 18. The exact design and dimensions of the removable rigidformed insert 36 will, of course, depend upon the task to be performedand are within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47is suspended by an edge 38 that engages the top surface 20 of theuniversal utility device 10. However, the removable rigid formed insert47 may be suspended with clips or any other known method known to thoseskilled in the art.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47,FIG. 6, includes a tray 35 designed to hold tools and supplies 40.According to another embodiment, the removable rigid formed insert 47,FIG. 7, includes a supporting structure 42 for suspending a container44, such as, but not limited to, a paint container. The supportingstructure 42 reduces the container's 44 ability to sway and also acts asa splash guard when applying paint. The supporting structure 42 alsopreferably includes a retaining means 46, such as, but not limited to, aclip, hook, or any other device known to those skilled in the art,disposed on the supporting structure 42 for suspending the container 44.In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure 42 includes anopening 50 to allow the user to access the container 44.

[0035] According to still another embodiment, the removable rigid formedinsert 47, FIG. 8, may include a reel 52. The reel 52, which may or maynot be removable from the rigid formed insert 47, is particularlyuseful, for example, when removing/installing lights 54 (such asChristmas lights) from along the side of a house (not shown). Multipleremovable reels could be used to store lights for various portions of ahome, for example. However, the reel 52 may also serve many otherpurposes such as, but not limited to, the installation/removal ofroofing heating tape, rope, or the like.

[0036] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in theart are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A universal utility device to be suspendedfrom a structure having a top surface, said universal utility devicecomprising: a generally rigid frame having: a top, a bottom, an innerand an outer surface; a central receiving region having dimensions sizedfor removably receiving an insert; and at least one structure engagementsection disposed on said inner surface of said generally rigid frame forsuspending said universal utility device from said structure, such thatsaid top surface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least ashigh as said top surface of said structure when said universal utilitydevice is suspended from said structure.
 2. The universal utility deviceas claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally rigid frame furtherincludes at least one wheel disposed horizontally on said inner surfaceof said generally rigid frame.
 3. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said generally rigid frame further comprisesa handle disposed on said top surface.
 4. The universal utility deviceas claimed in claim 2 wherein said generally rigid frame furtherincludes a plurality of fasteners for suspending a container.
 5. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least onestructure engagement section includes an engagement portion designed toallow said universal utility device to slide freely on along saidroofing gutter.
 6. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes at leastone lip.
 7. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid at least one structure engagement section includes a plurality ofhooks.
 8. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid generally rigid frame is adapted to support a removable rigidformed insert.
 9. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 8wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes an edge whichengages said top surface of said generally rigid frame and supports saidremovable rigid formed insert.
 10. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert furtherincludes a handle.
 11. The universal utility device as claimed in claim8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a tray.
 12. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removablerigid formed insert includes a reel.
 13. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes asupporting structure for suspending a container.
 14. The universalutility device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said supporting structureincludes a means for retaining said container.
 15. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 14 wherein said supporting structure includesan opening for allowing access to said container.
 16. he universalutility device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said removable insertincludes a plastic bag and said generally rigid frame is adapted tosupport said plastic bag.
 17. A universal utility device to be suspendedfrom a structure gutter having a top surface, said universal utilitydevice comprising: a rigid formed insert; and a generally rigid frameadapted to removably engage with said rigid formed insert, saidgenerally rigid frame having a top, a bottom, an inner, and an outersurface, a central opening for removably receiving said rigid formedinsert, and at least one structure engagement section disposed on saidgenerally rigid frame.
 18. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 17 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes at oneleast wheel disposed horizontally on said inner surface of saidgenerally rigid frame.
 19. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 17 wherein said generally rigid frame further comprises a handledisposed on said top surface of said generally rigid frame.
 20. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said generallyrigid frame further includes a plurality of fasteners for suspending aplastic bag.
 21. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes anengagement portion designed to allow said universal utility device toslide freely on along said structure.
 22. The universal utility deviceas claimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagementsection includes at least one lip.
 23. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 17 wherein said at least one structure engagementsection includes at least one hook.
 24. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includesan edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame andsupports said removable rigid formed insert.
 25. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insertfurther includes a handle.
 26. The universal utility device as claimedin claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includes a tray.27. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein saidremovable rigid formed insert includes a reel.
 28. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 17 wherein said removable rigid formed insertincludes a supporting structure for suspending a container.
 29. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 28 wherein said supportingstructure includes a means for retaining said container.
 30. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 28 wherein said supportingstructure includes an opening for allowing access to said container. 31.The universal utility device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said atleast one structure engagement section is disposed on said generallyrigid frame such that said top surface of said generally rigid frame ispositioned at least as high as said top surface of said structure whensaid universal utility device is suspended from said structure.
 32. Auniversal utility device to be suspended from a ladder, said universalutility device comprising: a rigid formed insert; and a generally rigidframe adapted to removably engage with said rigid formed insert, saidgenerally rigid frame having a top and an inner surface, a centralopening for removably receiving said rigid formed insert, and at leastone ladder engagement portion for suspending said universal utilitydevice in a level position from said ladder.
 33. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 32 further comprising at least one structureengagement section disposed on said inner surface of said generallyrigid frame for suspending said universal utility device from an objecthaving a groove.
 34. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 33wherein said at least one structure engagement section includes anengagement portion for allowing said universal utility device to slidefreely on along said groove of said object.
 35. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structureengagement section includes at least one lip.
 36. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structureengagement section includes at least one hook.
 37. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert includesan edge which engages said top surface of said generally rigid frame andsupports said removable rigid formed insert.
 38. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insert furtherincludes a handle.
 39. The universal utility device as claimed in claim32 wherein said rigid formed insert includes a tray.
 40. The universalutility device as claimed in claim 32 wherein said rigid formed insertincludes a reel.
 41. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 32wherein said rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure forsuspending a container.
 42. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 41 wherein said supporting structure includes a means forretaining said container.
 43. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 41 wherein said supporting structure includes an opening forallowing access to said container.
 44. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 33 wherein said at least one structure engagementsection is disposed on said generally rigid frame such that said topsurface of said generally rigid frame is positioned at least as high asa top surface of said groove on said object when said universal utilitydevice is suspended from said groove on said object.
 45. A universalutility device to be suspended from a structure having a top surface,said universal utility device comprising: a generally rigid framehaving: a top, a bottom, an inner and an outer surface; a centralreceiving region having dimensions sized for receiving a container; atleast one structure engagement section disposed on said inner surface ofsaid generally rigid frame for suspending said universal utility devicefrom said structure; and at least one wheel disposed horizontally onsaid inner surface of said generally rigid frame for facilitating themovement of said universal utility device along said structure.
 46. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at leastone structure engagement section is positioned on said inner surface ofsaid generally rigid frame such that said top surface of said generallyrigid frame is positioned at least as high as said top surface of saidstructure when said universal utility device is suspended from saidstructure.
 47. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45wherein said generally rigid frame further comprises a handle disposedon said top surface.
 48. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 45 wherein said generally rigid frame further includes a pluralityof fasteners for suspending a plastic bag.
 49. The universal utilitydevice as claimed in claim 45 wherein said at least one structureengagement section includes an engagement portion designed to allow saiduniversal utility device to slide freely on along said roofing gutter.50. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said atleast one structure engagement section includes at least one lip. 51.The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein said atleast one structure engagement section includes at least one hook. 52.The universal utility device as claimed in claim 45 wherein saidcontainer includes a removable rigid formed insert.
 53. The universalutility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigidformed insert includes an edge which engages said top surface of saidgenerally rigid frame and supports said removable rigid formed insert.54. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein saidremovable rigid formed insert further includes a handle.
 55. Theuniversal utility device as claimed in claim 52 wherein said removablerigid formed insert includes a tray.
 56. The universal utility device asclaimed in claim 52 wherein said removable rigid formed insert includesa reel.
 57. The universal utility device as claimed in claim 52 whereinsaid removable rigid formed insert includes a supporting structure forsuspending an object.
 58. The universal utility device as claimed inclaim 57 wherein said supporting structure includes a means forretaining said object.